EX-GOV, OSUNBOR DENIES DUMPING PDP

Contrary to reports that former governor of Edo State, Oserheimen Osunbor, may have left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following his displeasure at the conduct of the party's governorship primaries, the former governor, yesterday, said he remained a loyal member of the PDP. He, nevertheless, expressed disappointment on the way the primary was conducted.

Osunbor stated this yesterday in his Iruekpen country home when leaders of the party, led by its Chairman, Dan Orbih, visited him to mend fences with a view to bringing him back to the mainstream of the party's campaigns for the July 14 governorship election in the state.

Other leaders in the entourage included Senator Roland Owie, the party's governorship candidate, Major General Charles Airhiavbere, Owere Dickson Imasogie and several others. He said he remained a member of the party but noted that the peace visit would not have been necessary if a level playing field was provided for all aspirants as promised during the primaries.

'I have listened to you; you have come with a message of peace, a message of solidarity in recognition of the fact of my being not just a member of the PDP but a member of the PDP that has held various positions, including the position of governor of Edo State. I told you in the course of our telephone discussion that I am a PDP member and I remain a loyal PDP member. Having said that, I want us to be honest with ourselves; it is not that I want to be difficult but I want the truth to be on record.

'The party promised us a level playing field and we also said whoever emerges will be supported by all of us but for me, it is a matter of regret that the level playing field that was promised, I didn't experience it. The Thursday before the primaries, some of us (the aspirants) raised issues that were agitating our minds and at some point we were told that the reasons those issues were coming up were because of lack of trust.

'But some of us didn't get the trust that we expected, we promised ourselves that whoever emerges, we will campaign with him and if the right thing was done, this visit would not have been necessary. This visit would not have been necessary in the way it has come now if the proper thing had been done. I have listened to all of you who have come and from there we will take the next step.'

Orbih, in his speech, appealed to the former governor to be part of the campaign train as his presence would be a boost to them and their supporters. 'The truth is that nobody can wish away the role you have played in the politics of this state. One thing is clear; the task of winning back the state is a task for everybody, everybody must be part of it. We want all inclusive campaign, we want all inclusive efforts in winning back the state. We beg everybody…the party leadership is conscious of what you can do to help the party win this election.'